Top Ten Reasons to Enjoy Shakespeare in the Schools

#10 William Shakespeare was a fantastic writer.

#9 The stage fight workshop was fun.

#8 I understood the play much better since I have taken Shakespeare as a class.

#7 We got a break from our regular school day.

#6 The scenery was great.

#5 We actually got to watch one of Shakespeare's plays be performed live.

#4 I got to give an introduction.

#3 Great acting.

# 2 I will now willingly go to Shakespeare in the Park with my Mom.

And the number one reason to enjoy Shakespeare in the Schools is...

#1 Lindi and I learned to stage our own spectacular fight scene!

Every summer my Mom and sister want me to attend at least one Shakespeare in the Park performance with them. I have gone, but never really enjoyed the plays. When I did attend, I usually just watched other people, ate the snacks we brought, and enjoyed being outside. If the play was not set in modern times, I usually did not understand what the actors were saying--or I did not even try to understand. The last few years I have always conveniently found something else to occupy my time when they ask if I want to go. I think that the time our class spent on Othello and now A Midsummer Night's Dream has helped me understand so much more. I enjoyed the performance in our gym and would really like to try a play again this summer. I am sure I will actually enjoy the play--not just the snacks.

COMEDY!!

To me a comedy is something that is funny and makes me laugh, and I especially like to watch funny movies. There are many different types of comedy that are part of the comedy genre. Some of the official types or terms could include: stand-up, slapstick, or parody. Some of the unofficial types or terms could include: clean, stupid, or vulgar. It is really hard for me to choose a favorite type of comedy in a movie, but some that rank in my top choices for being able to make me laugh include Step Brothers, The Hangover, Caddy Shack, and Dumb and Dumber. This is not a complete list of all the movie comedies I like, but just a few that immediately came to mind.

I would consider something good comedy by using one of my favorite tests. If I were watching a movie by myself, and what I was watching managed to make me laugh aloud, I would consider that good comedy. If I do laugh while watching a show or movie, it will most likely make my list of favorite comedies. I really like to laugh!

If you don't have time to watch a funny movie, maybe a joke will make you smile. Read the following and see if you laugh…

Why did the teacher put the lights on?
Because the class was so dim.

or….
Teacher: Class, we will have only half a day of school this morning.
Class: Hooray!
Teacher: We will have the other half this afternoon.

Maybe…
William Shakespeare goes into a pub and the bartender yells at him, "You can't come in here, you're Bard!"

Finally…
"Have you read Shakespeare?"
"No. Who wrote it?"

Othello's Jealousy

(Sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle)

Othello was a brave, brave man
Who had a generous heart
He married for love and happiness
Not knowing it would fall apart!

Good and evil get all confused
The play makes that quite clear
Death and jealousy join the mix
A true tragedy by Shakespeare!

Poison flows from Iago's mouth
Othello is raging mad
Jealousy pushes him to the max
So his choices get quite bad!

Good and evil get all confused
The play makes that quite clear
Death and jealousy join the mix
A true tragedy by Shakespeare!

Killing is common in this story
The hero kills his wife
Iago murders his friend and spouse
Othello takes his own life!

Good and evil get all confused
The play makes that quite clear
Death and jealousy join the mix
A true tragedy by Shakespeare!